Heroes Of the Past Inspire Toyota's Future Sports Car
Vision

GENEVA – March 5, 2010: Celica, MR2, Supra, Corolla AE86:
Toyota’s great driver-focused sports cars of the past have inspired
its vision for a future-generation concept model that makes its European
debut at the Geneva motor show.

In creating the FT-86 (Future Toyota-86) Sports Concept, Toyota has
directly referenced the excitement and fundamental fun-to-drive quality
that characterised the Corolla AE-86. In its day the AE86 became a
must-have model for rallying and circuit racing, with its front-engine,
rear-wheel drive powertrain, compact dimensions, light weight, impeccable
balance and strong power to weight ratio. Even more than 20 years on from
the end of production, it remains a popular choice with privateer rally
teams.

The FT-86 Sports Concept previews a new-generation Toyota sports car,
designed to recapture the spirit of the AE86, sharing its front-engine,
rear-wheel drive credentials.

Driver-oriented conceptThe FT-86 is designed to deliver
simple, dynamic power with environmental responsibility. It is an entirely
driver-orientated car, engineered to capture the intrinsic joy of driving
through precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle and
steering inputs.

Rather than use a heavy, large displacement engine for performance, it
is equipped with a free-revving 2.0-litre petrol unit with a six-speed
manual gearbox with compact dimensions, light weight and a low centre
gravity. Deployed in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive format, this
powertrain delivers lively, accessible performance with engaging dynamic
abilities and maximum driving pleasure.

Functional BeautyToyota’s ED2 European design and
development centre dubs the styling of the FT-86 “Functional
Beauty”, the classic sports car form having been generated entirely
within the constraints of aerodynamics and function.

The low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell is stretched tight over the
engineering hard points, and, measuring 4,160mm long overall, the bodywork
has been rendered as compact as possible.

The cockpit is purely functional and ergonomically efficient, with
widespread use of sporting, ultra-lightweight components and finishes that
support the car’s balanced weight distribution and power to weight
ratio.

Rather than treating the 2+2 interior design as a stylised addition to
the cabin framework, a thin, tight-fitting skin has been applied to the
essential cockpit components, as can be seen in the treatment of the
dashboard and seat upholstery

The FT-86 measures 4,160mm long, 1,760mm wide and 1,260mm tall, with a
2,570mm wheelbase. It rides on 19-inch wheels shod with 225/40R19
tyres.